When Anne Martin played as a child on the lawns of Trelissick Gardens, two forces were stirred inside her. Seeds were planted both literal and of character, and both pertained to a word that overarches her to this day: growth.
Martin was bestowed last week with the Freedom of the City at a special ceremony hosted by Mayor Dan Rogers and city council. Only three other living people have the same title, and only one other woman in the history of Prince George has ever held the honour, that being Carrie Jane Gray who was mayor in 1958 and '59, plus an alderman numerous additional years.
In his preamble to the award, which was a surprise for Martin last Saturday at the annual municipal volunteer recognition reception, Rogers noted the following highlights in Martin's volumes of community service...(For the full story, see Monday's edition of The Citizen.)
- Anne Martin move to Prince George with her family in 1965 and has been actively contributing to the community ever since;
- Anne has served as City Councillor, Regional District Board Director, Vice Chair of the University of Northern BC Board of Governors, President and Director of the Two Rivers Art Gallery, and member of a long list of community organizations and Council committees;
- Her volunteer work encompasses broad interests, including children and youth, arts and culture, education and civic pride.
Some of Anne's achievements:
- 1975-1995- Second Violin, Prince George Symphony
- 1991-present- Founding president and member, David Douglas Botanical Garden
- 1990-1999- Councillor, City of Prince George
- 1992-1993- Member, by Provincial Government appointment, UNBC Governing Council
- 1993-1997- Vice-Chair, UNBC Board of Governors
- 1994-1995, 1997-1999- Director, Regional District of Fraser Ft. George
- 1997-2005- Board member, Livable Winter Cities Association
- 2000-2002- Director and founding member, CNC Fundraising Society
- 2000-2005- President and Director, Two Rivers Gallery
- 2000-2007- Member, Prince George Winter City Committee
- 2002- Member, Prince George Downtown Business Improvement Association
- 2003-2007- Founding member, Minerva Foundation- Prince George Chapter
- 2004- Initiator of the Bridget Moran Statue Project
- 2004-2009- Chair, Prince George Communities in Bloom Committee
- 2006-2009- Member, Prince George International Linkages Committee
- 2007-present- Board member, Prince George Regional Performing Arts Centre Society
- 2009-present- Board member, BC Communities in Bloom
Anne has also been the recipient of many community awards, including:
- 1990- Dedication of the Anne Martin Play Park, presented by the Child Development Centre
- 1992- Outstanding community service award- presented by the City of Prince George
- 1992- Canada 125 Medal- presented by the Government of Canada in recognition of significant contributions to fellow citizens, community, and country
- 2001- Art Gallery Honour- presented by the Community Arts Council
- 2001- re-dedication of the Anne Martin Play Park, presented by the Child Development Centre
- 2003- Citizen of the Year Award- presented by the Prince George Community Foundation
- 2004- BC Community Achievement Award- presented by the Province of British Columbia
- 2008- Alice Wolczuk Award- presented by the David Douglas Botanical Garden Society
- Anne's many accomplishments are underscored by her commitment to the community and to her family
fpeebles@pgcitizen.ca
